Adventures in Wien! Past Review

By A student (Psychology & Sociology, University of Iowa) - abroad from 05/23/2014 to 07/04/2014 with

IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I gained a lot of new insight and perspective on how to think about certain things, such as other cultures, being immersed into something totally different than what you are accustomed to, and so much more.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I really enjoyed the classes I took while in Vienna and found the field trips they had planned for us to be beneficial!
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The IES staff was very helpful!
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Our apartment was in a great location and was set-up very well! It worked out splendidly for the 6 girls that lived in it!
* Food:	There was easy access to several grocery stores, as well as the farmer's market! You could prepare your own food, but there were also tons of restaurants and cafes that were within walking distance!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I did not need any healthcare, but they did go over our options during orientation.
* Safety:	I felt very safe and all of the study abroad students were given cell phones that would work in Austria so that we could contact the IES staff or emergency personnel at any time.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	Approximately 30 euro.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Walk when you can and do your research...there are often student discounts :)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	We had assignments that had us go to stores/markets and order things in German.
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	I had four years of Spanish, but no German.
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Practice with your roommates!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	I loved the city! I enjoyed the classes. The people I met were great!!
* What could be improved?	More cultural integration. Lengthen the program.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That even if it is the summer it can get cold, so pack pants!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Avid Adventurer The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Psychology & Society in Vienna
Course Department:	Psychology
Instructor:	Reinhold Stipsits
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I loved this class! I thought our discussions were very thought-provoking and it was able to give a me a new perspective on some things! It could be challenging at times, but it really got me thinking outside of the box. Our field trips were fun! For instance, we went to the Sigmund Freud Museum! We had one final test and one final paper at the end of our program!
Credit Transfer Issues: